Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 26-031
 
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RE:
Advisory Opinion regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics would prohibit the former Grants Manager for the Community Services Block Grant Program within the Human Services Department of Calcasieu Parish from being appointed to the Human Services Advisory Board.
Facts:
Juana Felton is a former employee of the Calcaseiu Parish Police Jury (CPPJ) who served as a Grants Manager for the Community Services Block Grant Program within the Human Services Department. Ms. Felton retired on February 4, 2022 and would like to serve on the Human Services Advisory Board representing the National Association of University Women.
Law:
La. R.S. 42:1121A(1) provides no former agency head or elected official shall, for a period of two years following the termination of his public service as the head of such agency or as an elected public official serving in such agency, assist another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction, involving that former agency or render any service on a contractual basis to or for such agency.


La. R.S. 42:1121B(1) provides that no former public employee shall, for a period of two years following the termination of his public employment, assist another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction in which such former public employee participated at any time during his public employment and involving the governmental entity by which he was formerly employed, or for a period of two years following termination of his public employment, render, any service which such former public employee had rendered to the agency during the term of his public employment on a contractual basis, regardless of the parties to the contract, to, for, or on behalf of the agency with which he was formerly employed.

La. R.S. 42:1102(18)(a) defines "public employee" to mean anyone, whether compensated or not, who is: (i) An administrative officer or official of a governmental entity who is not filling an elective office. (ii) Appointed by any elected official when acting in an official capacity, and the appointment is to a post or position wherein the appointee is to serve the governmental entity or an agency thereof, either as a member of an agency, or as an employee thereof. (iii) Engaged in the performance of a governmental function. (iv) Under the supervision or authority of an elected official or another employee of the governmental entity.

La. R.S. 42:1102(19) defines "public servant" means a public employee or an elected official.

La. R.S. 42:1102(2)(a)(i) defines "agency" to mean a department, office, division, agency, commission, board, committee, or other organizational unit of a governmental entity.


Recommendations:
Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
Assigned Attorney: Kathryn Calmes
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2026-031 - AO - Erika Garrison
2026-031 - Advisory Opinion Draft - Garrison